The Prophet’s Mission of Mercy, Not Cursing
📖Sahih Muslim 2599
Abu Huraira reported it was said to Allah’s Messenger ﷺ: Invoke curse upon the polytheists, whereupon he said: “I have not been sent as the invoker of curse, but I have been sent as mercy.”
Description:
This hadith highlights the true mission of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ — not to condemn people with curses, but to guide them with mercy. Even though he faced personal abuse, threats, and war, he upheld compassion over hatred. His purpose wasn’t destruction, but correction — to invite people to the truth with wisdom, not vengeance. This does not contradict the Qur’anic call to defend against oppression, because mercy doesn’t mean weakness — it means justice with restraint.
Quranic Context:
📖Quran 21:107
And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.
The Prophet’s overall mission was rooted in mercy — to lead people away from destruction, not to destroy them with words or war without just cause.
Quranic Context (when fighting is allowed):
📖Quran 2:190
Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors.
This verse draws the line: fighting is only permitted in self-defense. Muslims are forbidden to be aggressors. The Prophet ﷺ never initiated war out of hate or nationalism.
📖Quran 60:8
Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes—from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.
This verse proves that enmity is not automatic — peaceful coexistence is encouraged unless hostility is initiated.
📖Quran 9:13
Will you not fight a people who broke their oaths and determined to expel the Messenger, and they had begun [the attack] upon you the first time? Do you fear them? But Allah has more right that you should fear Him, if you are [truly] believers.
This shows the context for defensive war — against betrayal and aggression, not against mere disbelief.
Summary:
The Prophet ﷺ was sent as mercy, not as a source of curses. Islam allows fighting only in response to aggression — not due to disbelief alone. Mercy is the default; force is the exception , used only to stop oppression, not spread Islam by the sword.